A.E. waite was part of the tradition of hiding information from the "uninitiated" by adding mistakes. He was a fool. Ignore his writings. His tarot is good, minus the mistakes.
Heres a simple guide:
Earth = Physical world
Water = Emotions
Air = Thoughts
Fire = Desires
Trumps (Atus) = Things the questioner cannot control.
Count which suit is the most common in the spread, thats the main focus, then slowly mix each together in order from most common to least.
Next see if its a problem or a hope:
Fire and water = problem
Earth and air = problem
anything else equals hope
Just look to see if their next to each other or of they are in equal or similair amounts.
Now you should have a general feel after that just read each card in its position, in the context of the general feel.
Read the picture, does it remind you of any stories, memeories, jokes, etc? Whatever the picture brings to mind relate it to that you already know from the spread.
Also:
A right side up card represents the actual physical event
an upside down card represents the idea of event or thinking about doing it. tThey DO NOT reverse the meaning. This can only be done by two opposing suits being next to each other (see above)
court cards are not always people, only when it seems fitting that it should be.
All cards that are next to each other blend with each other.
Thats it.
Using the above I can get 90% accuracy knowing nothing and never seeing the person.
Ignore the books, most have lies.
Try getting the ceromnial magicians tarot for some strait forward lessons.
Hope hat helps. Any more questions I can help or direct you to a few good sites that should get you going
